Chapter 470: Playing Dumb
Seeing the Crown Prince growing visibly impatient, Yu Haojie’s smile only widened.
He was a good-tempered person, but he had his bottom line. And that bottom line was his family.
Even if he didn’t get along with the legitimate heirs of the Yu family, he would never allow outsiders to take advantage of them, let alone collaborate with someone who had once laid hands on his wife.
“Your Highness, I already said, you might as well speak plainly about your purpose in coming to my city. I’m a simple-minded person, I don’t understand all these twists and turns.”
Seeing the Crown Prince’s growing frustration, Yu Haojie felt he hadn’t had enough fun yet, so he deliberately played dumb again.
Hearing these words, the Crown Prince was already boiling with anger inside.
But recalling his mother’s instructions, he had no choice but to suppress his fury and continue speaking with a forced smile.
“This prince wishes to cooperate with City Lord Yu, and City Lord Yu is too humble. The fact that you built a city here and even managed to drive Feng City out of this desolate land proves that you are far from simple-minded.”
“Haha, Your Highness flatters me. The only reason I was able to build a city here is because of my wife’s family and their influence. I’m just living off my wife’s wealth, nothing to be ashamed of.”
“But since Your Highness has spoken so directly, I should at least give you a clear answer, right? As for cooperation… I’m afraid I am unworthy of such an important task. Your Highness, you must be looking for the wrong person.”
“In the capital, my reputation was merely that of a lowly illegitimate son of the Guoan Marquis’s household. I was never significant. Even though the Yu family has now been pardoned, I am still that useless illegitimate son, incapable of achieving anything.”
Hearing the Crown Prince’s grand promises, Yu Luo, who was standing to the side, quietly played with the hem of her clothes, struggling to hold back her laughter.
Crown Prince!
Listening to Yu Haojie’s repeated self-deprecations, how could the Crown Prince not see that these were just excuses to decline?
As expected, playing dumb was Yu Haojie’s usual tactic!
“Hah, it seems City Lord Yu still enjoys being humble. Very well then, this prince and my mother can guarantee you this—if City Lord Yu is willing to serve under me, I can promise you wealth and high rank. I can also ensure that your city remains safe from the ambitions of other nations in this barren land.”
The arrogance and disdain that should have been concealed in his demeanor now surged uncontrollably toward Yu Haojie.
Since Yu Haojie refused to take the gentle approach, he shouldn’t blame the Crown Prince for being forceful!
Yu Luo didn’t even need to speak. She understood her father well—he would never side with someone who had once tried to harm her mother.
At this thought, the slight humility on the Crown Prince’s face slowly faded.
“In other words, if City Lord Yu pledges loyalty to me, then in the future, this city will have the full backing of the Lan Yue Dynasty. Is that satisfactory?”
“Your Highness, your kindness is overwhelming. I can hardly believe I am worthy of such an honor. But I must ask—what abilities do I have to serve Your Highness? Besides, I live in seclusion in this desolate land, how could I possibly be of any use to Your Highness?”
Crown Prince!
“This prince wants you to return to the capital.”
Barely restraining his urge to roar in frustration, even the Crown Prince himself couldn’t understand why his mother had chosen this fool, Yu Haojie!
He was already growing desperate, yet Yu Haojie kept stalling him.
Did this man think he could extract more information before making a decision?
How naïve! Did he really think the Crown Prince was as foolish as a pig?
Sure enough, as soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, Yu Haojie’s expression changed ever so slightly.
He had never expected that the Crown Prince’s goal was to bring him back to the capital.
Heh.
Returning to the capital? That was something he had never considered since coming to this barren land. He would never abandon this city just to go back to a place he didn’t care about.
Seeing the subtle shift in Yu Haojie’s expression, the Crown Prince felt triumphant.
He knew it—so what if Yu Haojie had built a city?
Who would willingly remain in such a desolate, freezing wasteland? Even if he ruled here, he was nothing more than a caged bird. How could that compare to the grandeur of the Crown Prince’s promises?
“City Lord Yu, I don’t just want you to return to the capital. My mother and I, along with our supporters, will recommend you for an official position in court. To speak plainly, the Lan Yue Dynasty is currently at war with Ximo Kingdom on the borders.
From what I’ve heard about your previous battle against those martial artists, if you can win a battle against Ximo, my mother and I will ensure that you attain at least a second-rank general’s position.
After that, you can reclaim all the dignity you once lost in the capital, including taking the title of Guoan Marquis from your brother!”
Hearing these words, Yu Luo secretly chuckled.
As expected, since ancient times, there was never a shortage of people who made empty promises. This Crown Prince was truly a master of deception!
Yu Haojie had not expected that the Crown Prince and the Empress had already mapped out his future path for him.
But he was no puppet. How could he let others use him as a pawn?
“No need. I am merely a shortsighted man with no ambition. I have no interest in wealth or high positions. I am just an ordinary, unremarkable person.
Your Highness has traveled a long way, enduring hardships, and the weather in this barren land is harsh. I have already ordered my people to prepare fine wine, good food, and a comfortable room for Your Highness.”
“Yu Haojie, this prince has made himself very clear. Are you refusing to drink the toast only to be forced to drink the penalty wine?!”
Finally, after Yu Haojie rejected him yet again, the Crown Prince could no longer contain his fury!
With a loud crash, he flung the teacup to the ground. His other hand slammed heavily on the table, and the rage on his face burned even in the freezing forty-below-zero temperature outside.
“Your Highness, why such a temper? My father is just an ordinary man. Are you trying to force him into something against his will?”
Yu Luo, who had been silently observing the spectacle, could no longer hold back. She smiled sweetly at the Crown Prince and spoke at a leisurely pace.
Her attitude was completely at odds with the furious Crown Prince.
But the more casual and indifferent she appeared, the harder it was for the Crown Prince to contain his anger!
“Hah! I never expected City Lord Yu’s daughter to have such a sharp tongue and such a pretty face. It’s a shame that City Lord Yu doesn’t know what’s good for him. If he were wise, when this prince ascends the throne, I could grant Miss Yu the position of one of my four consorts.”
(End of Chapter 470)
